Abubakar Hashim
Within barely a week, Liberia’s most historical heritage, the Capitol, the Legislature, was gutted by fire in mysterious circumstances.
The first was on December 10, when smoke from shocks from the electric breakers was detected. This was a minor incident.
The second fire incident yesterday in the early hours was the most devastating.
It destroyed the bottom and top of the rotunda of the joint legislative chamber, which was used by the president to deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) and for other legislative activities.
Yesterday’s sad incident occurred on the heels of a $1.3 million intended for renovation of the building and could not be accounted for, with investigations ongoing.
The country’s Inspector General of Police, Gregory Coleman, has labelled the fire incident as arson and mounted a full-scale investigation. Anyone with credible information will receive a whopping $5,000.
The House has been bitterly divided over the Speakership position. Some members have been plotting the removal of embattled Speaker, Fonati Koffa, with sessions being held in the joint chamber, claiming Representative Richard Koon as the new Speaker.
The Supreme Court is expected to give a final ruling on the matter, a sequel to a complaint filed by embattled Speaker Koffa.
President Boakai has addressed the nation, calling the incident sad and unacceptable. He has called a speedy investigation on the matter.
The Senate Pro Tempore, Nyomblee Karnga has expressed her dismay and called for fair equity and justice on the unfortunate incident.
The Capitol was constructed in 1956 by William Tolbert, with two annexes initiated by former President Sirleaf and completed in 2018 by former President George Weah, with Chinese aid.
President Boakai will commemorate his 1st anniversary on January 22, 2025, just a few weeks away, with a relatively impressive record in robust reforms in various sectors of the economy.
*Abubakar Hashim is the West Africa Bureau Chief of the News Magazine, based in Sierra Leone. He is currently writing from Liberia